When with Rome {Sirius Black}

32. Orion Black

Barbara apparated herself and Sirius in front of the town houses on Grimmauld Place. While Sirius fell to the ground— cursing the art of apparating— Barbara looked at the houses confused. There was no Twelve Grimmauld Place!

"Sirius, where do you live?"

He scoffed. "Barbara, my parents are paranoid lunatics. Just think of the address and we'll be there. I can't think after that— I think I'm actually going to vomit."

"Well do it in the patch of grass behind you and not on me. Then I would have to destroy our friendship contract." She ignored Sirius's muttering behind her and did as he mentioned before: thinking of the address.

Number Twelve Grimmauld Place...

The grip on her wand tightened at her side when she heard the sound of bricks moving against each other. Her eyes widened as she saw the townhouses pull apart to reveal the townhouse she was looking for. It appearance was enough to make a Muggle run for the hills, as it didn't need to be hidden to scare people away.

"Sirius, remember, follow my lead and stay behind me. Don't interfere and I promise, under no circumstances will they lay a finger on you again."

He nodded tentatively, Barbara knowing that he probably still wasn't completely on board with her plan.

"We should probably disguise ourselves first," and without warning Sirius, she said the incantation she learned from Angel, "Verbergen!"

Sirius's striking grey eyes faded into a brown along with his hair, which became shorter than he liked it. His physique changed as well, from a lean, muscular young man to a scrawny, nerdy looking man. Barbara couldn't help but smile on amusement with how irritable Sirius looked.

"You could've made me look better than I already am and you decide to make me look less attractive than Regulus?!"

"Don't sound so serious." Barbara smiled innocently at a glaring Sirius, who was a few inches short than her. She turned her wand on herself and muttered the incantation.

Barbara's distinct Vampire features made an appearance as her eyes became blue. Her brown hair became pin straight black and she made sure her physique was more intimidating and mature so she would look older. If a wizard were to ask what they thought she was, they probably would've said she had Veela blood in her.

Once satisfied with their disguises. Barbara expressed to Sirius that he couldn't talk or they were bound to be caught red handed. After she gave Sirius a pat on the back and reassured him that he was in no danger, Barbara sighed as she knocked on the door thrice.

Promptly, the door opened to reveal Regulus, a boy who looked similar to his older brother but lacked the charisma or the likability. Barbara inwardly cringed as she noticed how Regulus was looking down on them with such disgust. She would've thought they told him that he was the scum of the Earth. In a way, he kind of is, Barbara thought grimly to herself.

When she didn't respond in time, Regulus snapped. "Look, are you going to tell me why you came or not?"

"Of course, Mr. Black," Barbara began calmly, "I'm with the Ministry, here to speak with your father on official business."

Regulus took another glance at the woman and man standing before him; and he told them to wait a minute. When the door was closed, Barbara couldn't help but grab Sirius's hand. The butterflies in her stomach were nearly getting to her; and she didn't know how much longer she could last. Thankfully, the door opened soon before she could start questioning why she agreed to do this mission.

The man who greeted her had the physical appearance of a bear. His demeanor demanded respect and his facial features made him extremely intimidating. Barbara wondered how such a scary looking guy could attract somebody. Well, purity makes people do crazy things. But I don't think he has to worry about Muggle women– I think they'd be too frightened to approach him.

"Orion Black. My son tells me you're from the Ministry?" His voice matched his demeanor: deep, scratchy, and somewhat terrifying. Barbara couldn't even imagine how scary Sirius's mother muscle if she was he abusive one.

"Yes, Mr. Black. I just have a couple questions for you, you know, the standard ones, and then I'll be on my way. They're trying to educate some on blood purity, under the table, of course, and I wanted to interview someone of noble status. Do you mind?" Barbara lied smoothly. She mentally high-fived herself for the quick lie.

He nodded his head in approval.

"Of course. Anything for the cause. Come and sit. Regulus will be in his room during our meeting. We will sit in the living room. You have to forgive my wife, she's in Diagon Alley right now."

"No apology needed, Mr. Black. But let's get right down to business. Why is blood purity such an important thing to preserve in our community?" Barbara asked the man while taking a seat on the couch across from him. Sirius cautiously sat next to Barbara, his leg bouncing up and down with nerves.

"Well, why would we want perfectly fine blood tainted? It only makes sense to have blood stay within its own categories. No need to mix, or impure, blood if there's already pure blood around."

They spent some ten more minutes talking about how to handle mixed-blooded wizards and witches. Barbara was shocked with how trusting Orion was to strangers who simply asked about spreading the word of purity. It disgusted her that people who wanted a pure race were still regarded with respect even with all the hate they preached.

Finally having enough of the discussion, Barbara disclosed that she was done recording Orion's answers. "Thank you for all of the evidence, Mr. Black. Do you mind standing for a second for a picture? Clark, if you don't mind taking one of me and Mr. Black." Barbara gave Sirius a signal as to be ready to stun his father.

"Please," the older man said standing up, "call me Orion. And you two are?"

"We're your nightmares shifted into reality, Orion." Barbara said coldly. "Now, Clark!"

"Petrificus Tortalus!" Sirius said loudly. With a thud onto the couch, Orion Black was lying with a shocked expression.

"Okay, so now what do we do? Regulus, the prat, will be downstairs any second to check on us."

"We just apparate him to Hogsmede. You okay if you take the Knight Bus?"

"Yeah I should be."

"Then it's settled. I'll see you shortly, partner." With a wink, Barbara left with a frozen Orion as Sirius casually spit in the tea cup, which his mother was bound to drink out, of before taking the Bus back to the Potters' house.